Dana Matsunami

Dana Matsunami (they or she) is a Legal Fellow with the Child Welfare team at the National Center for Youth Law. Their fellowship project is focused on advocating for a right to counsel on behalf of youth who are impacted by the child welfare system in the state of Hawai’i. She collaborates with youth in Hawai'i as well as local and national advocacy partners to develop a culturally responsive, youth-centered representation model and ensure young peoples' wants and needs are amplified.

A graduate from UC Irvine School of Law, Dana was the president of OutLaw, a member of the National Lawyers Guild Board, and represented parents in an Immigrant Rights Clinic. Dana participated in a semester-long full-time clinical program at Columbia Law School focused on advancing educational rights for youth in the United States, and earned high honors for pro bono leadership. Prior to law school, Dana worked in public schools and at education equity organizations.

Dana's passions include spending time in and on the water, watching live sports, and searching far and wide for the perfect donut.